MTH T-1 (Reading) Minimum Curve?

Some stuff will do a tighter curve than the manufacturers rating, but I think trying to run a loco rated at O54 (or O42) on an O36 curve is asking for trouble.  I suspect the rating of the T1 got changed from O42 to O54 due to the wireless drawbar.  The cab connection on the drawbar probably has too wide of an arc when running a tighter curve track.

Like the response above says...you’re asking for trouble. You may be able to get a scale Hudson or Pacific through O-36, but a T1 is unlikely.

Very little chance this will run on O36.  I have the Lionel Legacy Reading T1, and it struggles on an O48 curve, it's also rated for O54.  It does make it around, but it's not a smooth run, and it looks like it's about to jump the tracks all the way around.

I'd be looking at the smaller steamers for O36.

Well I think this one is out of the question. Darn. 

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Very little chance this will run on O36.  I have the Lionel Legacy Reading T1, and it struggles on an O48 curve, it's also rated for O54.  It does make it around, but it's not a smooth run, and it looks like it's about to jump the tracks all the way around.

I'd be looking at the smaller steamers for O36.

I endorse John's comments.  I also have a Lionel RDG T1, and he's right -- it can make its way through an 048 curve, but it's a struggle, and doesn't look particularly good.  I can't imagine the MTH version would be any better.

I also have the old scale Lionel 6-18006 Reading T1 that I upgraded to TMCC, etc.  That one actually does O42 curves, not sure what changed in the geometry that makes the new one the same size have different requirements.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I also have the old scale Lionel 6-18006 Reading T1 that I upgraded to TMCC, etc.  That one actually does O42 curves, not sure what changed in the geometry that makes the new one the same size have different requirements.

You think 0-36 is doable with that one or is that pushing it?

I haven't really tried it, but it might do those.

Trainlover9943 posted:

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I also have the old scale Lionel 6-18006 Reading T1 that I upgraded to TMCC, etc.  That one actually does O42 curves, not sure what changed in the geometry that makes the new one the same size have different requirements.

You think 0-36 is doable with that one or is that pushing it?

Yes it is.

It is what, doable or pushing it Chris?

Trainlover9943 posted:

Looking at getting this engine (the PS3 run) but I was wondering if it can do 0-36 curves? I find it interesting that the earlier '06 PS2 run has a minimum of 0-42 and the new one that I'm looking at need 0-54. I have no switches on the track I'd be running it on. 

The T1 is a larger locomotive. MTH rates those as requiring O-54, more than likely because the newer locomotives use a draw bar electrical connection rather than a more-flexible "umbilical cord" to the tender, plus they've been putting "deck plates" on steam locomotives. They look better on O-72 or larger curves, though, and will require it if you install the shorter draw bars (that are available for separate sale) that provide for closer coupling of the locomotive to the tender.

The Legacy T1 is exactly the same size as the previous Lionel scale T1, I have both and have measured them.  The MTH T1 is also exactly the same size as these, a number of people at the club have them.

The MTH wireless drawbar is not a big issue, you can use a longer drawbar if that would solve the problem, but I don't believe it would.

O-36 will not happen. 

gunrunnerjohn posted:

It is what, doable or pushing it Chris?

Wow. If only I read the first part.

Its not possible.

On a second note, I ran my Premier T-1 this weekend and enjoyed it.

I do not have Lionel Legacy T-1 nor MTH PS3 T-1.

I have Lionel older T-1 and MTH PS2 T-1.

I run on MTH RealTrax 0-42.

The older Lionel T-1 runs nicely on the the O-42 Realtrax but the blind  flanged 4 interior drivers are well over the rails on the curves. The outer 4 drivers exhibit no binding with the rails.

The MTH PS-2 T-1 runs OK on the MTH O-42 curves but the flanges of the outer drivers seem to slightly rub against the inside of the rails. Again, the inner drivers are over the rails.

The original Lionel was specifically designed for Lionel's target customers who used tubular track, so I suspect the flange angle is slightly less sharp. (It is notable that the original Lionel T-1's were made by Samhongsa, through Lionel's then subcontractor Mike Wolfe, and used Lionel's AC motor and possibly drive train and electronics.)

Also, I think because of its more realistic profile, the effective radius of Realtrax is slightly tighter than tubular track. I do believe track types have differing performance.  I think the MTH T-1 was only Premier Northern rated for O-42, so as to be marketed as a better alternative to older Lionel Product.

Your best bet would be the recent-issue Railking Northern that's painted to LOOK like a Reading T1.  (It's a 4-8-4 with shielded air pumps on the pilot deck, etc., but I think the boiler is based on a Santa Fe prototype.)

As others have shared, the original Lionel T-1 from 1989 is the only scale version that's really "happy" on O42.  The lack of rubber tires probably helps, as the wheels can slide a bit more.  It doesn't bind but it has a TON of overhang.  Ask my friend who bought one and found out the hard way when it gouged the drywall next to the track the first time he backed it around the outside curve!

@Trainlover9943 posted:

You think 0-36 is doable with that one or is that pushing it?

I can tell you that the original T1 will not handle O36 curves.  I have tried.

Ponz

@Ponz posted:

I can tell you that the original T1 will not handle O36 curves.  I have tried.

Ponz

Darn. I'll be expanding to 044.5 inch curves eventually. Then in should work since that's bigger than 042. 

@rdg_fan posted:

I do not have Lionel Legacy T-1 nor MTH PS3 T-1.

I have Lionel older T-1 and MTH PS2 T-1.

I run on MTH RealTrax 0-42.

The older Lionel T-1 runs nicely on the the O-42 Realtrax but the blind  flanged 4 interior drivers are well over the rails on the curves. The outer 4 drivers exhibit no binding with the rails.

The MTH PS-2 T-1 runs OK on the MTH O-42 curves but the flanges of the outer drivers seem to slightly rub against the inside of the rails. Again, the inner drivers are over the rails.

The original Lionel was specifically designed for Lionel's target customers who used tubular track, so I suspect the flange angle is slightly less sharp. (It is notable that the original Lionel T-1's were made by Samhongsa, through Lionel's then subcontractor Mike Wolfe, and used Lionel's AC motor and possibly drive train and electronics.)

Also, I think because of its more realistic profile, the effective radius of Realtrax is slightly tighter than tubular track. I do believe track types have differing performance.  I think the MTH T-1 was only Premier Northern rated for O-42, so as to be marketed as a better alternative to older Lionel Product.

 

What's the part# for the MTH PS2 T-1

Ponz

I just sent my 6-18006 through an O36 Fastrack curve, it wasn't totally happy, but it made it without derailing.